AMVETS ELECTS NEW LEADERS FOR 2008-2009
Navy veteran John “Chad” Hapner elected National Commander

WASHINGTON, August 14, 2008—Grand Rapids native John “Chad” Hapner was elected as the next national commander of AMVETS, one of the nation’s leading veterans’ service organizations, during the 64th annual AMVETS National Convention in Orlando. Hapner will take over as AMVETS National Commander for 2008-2009 on Sept. 1, when he reports to the National Headquarters in Lanham, Md.

During his term as national commander, Hapner, a Navy veteran, hopes to mobilize AMVETS’ membership base to better serve veterans in their communities. He has also laid out a plan to engage and empower veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan as a way to expand the reach of the AMVETS family. 

“I want our members to get back out to the VA hospitals and the vets’ centers—get AMVETS back to what we should be doing; serving veterans,” said Hapner. “The first thing you learn in the military is to watch your buddy’s back—just because you get out doesn’t mean you stop. Once you get out there and see the difference it makes, you’ll keep going.”

Hapner has been involved in veterans’ service in Grand Rapids for more than 35 years. He has volunteered regularly at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, and he hopes to bring his zeal for veterans’ service to the National Headquarters outside of Washington, D.C.

Hapner is a life member of Grand Rapids AMVETS Post 126, and he has served on his department’s financial committee for more than 17 years. Hapner has served as commander of his post, commander of AMVETS Department of Michigan, commander of AMVETS National District IV, National Finance Officer, National Second and First Vice-Commander.

At the annual convention, members of AMVETS and its subsidiary organizations, AMVETS Ladies’ Auxiliary, Sons of AMVETS, Junior AMVETS and AMVETS Riders, gather to elect officials and discuss the way forward for the organization. AMVETS and its subsidiaries represent nearly 250,000 veterans and their family members nationwide.

Air Force veteran Duane Miskulin of Stevens Point, Wisc., was elected as AMVETS National First Vice-Commander; active Army and Navy Reserve veteran Jerry Hotop of Perryville, Mo., was elected as AMVETS National Second Vice-Commander; Army Reserve veteran Fertie Brand of Tampa, Fla., was elected as AMVETS National Finance Officer; Dan Snyder of Findlay, Ohio was elected as AMVETS National Judge Advocate; and Army veteran Eugene Meyer of Sherwood, Ohio was re-elected as AMVETS National Provost Marshal.

In response to arising concerns within the veterans’ community, the major issues AMVETS addressed at the convention were timely funding for the VA health care system, the VA’s massive backlog in veterans’ claims processing, protecting veterans’ employment preferences, modernizing transition assistance, concurrent receipt of VA disability and military retirement benefits, and increased VA spending for mental health care and care for women veterans.

About AMVETS:    
A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS provides support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, as well as community service and legislative reform that enhances the quality of life for this nation’s citizens and veterans alike. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organizations in the United States, and includes members from each branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves. For more information, visit www.amvets.org.

Media Contact:
National
Communications Director
Jay Agg
(301) 683-4035
jagg@amvets.org

National
Publications Editor
Isaac Pacheco
(301)-683-4038
ipacheco@amvets.org

National
Graphic Designer
Luis A. JImenez
(301) 683-4036
ljimenez@amvets.org

National
Media Specialist
Ryan Gallucci
(301)683-4073
rgallucci@amvets.org